Isaiah 5:25-26
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easy to miss here is that the verse doesn't just describe past or present judgment, but a continuation of God's judgment. The phrase "his hand is stretched out still" emphasizes that this is not the end of the story; God’s hand remains extended, ready to strike, as a persistent consequence of their sin and impenitence.
Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come!
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, Isaiah is detailing the severe consequences of Israel's sinfulness, which he has likened to a vineyard that produced wild grapes instead of fruit. He's just described how their rejection of God's law will lead to their destruction, comparing it to fire consuming stubble. Now, he emphasizes that God's anger is ignited, leading to a devastating judgment that caused the very earth to shake and left their dead scattered like refuse. This isn't the end of God's judgment, however; his hand remains outstretched, signifying that further, even more severe punishments are imminent.
The Lord's anger is kindled—it's a powerful, visceral reaction described with vivid imagery. What does this tell us about God's heart towards sin?
This verse opens with a strong declaration: 'the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people.' This isn't a calm, detached disapproval. The Hebrew word for 'kindled' suggests a fire igniting, an intense and passionate response. This anger isn't arbitrary; it's a direct consequence of the 'crimes' and 'wickedness' detailed earlier in Isaiah 5.
The ground itself trembles and bodies lie like refuse in the streets. What do these powerful images reveal about the totality of the judgment?
The impact of God's anger is not confined to a mere feeling; it has tangible, devastating consequences. The verse paints a picture of widespread destruction:
Ask a follow-up
Despite the devastation described, the verse ends with a chilling repetition: His anger is not turned away, and His hand is stretched out still. What does this continuity of judgment mean?
The most striking aspect of this verse might be its conclusion. The destruction described is severe, yet it's not the end of God's dealings with His people.
This isn't a God who is easily appeased or whose justice is quickly satisfied when His people stray.
Understand the original words
'ap · Hebrew Noun
The righteous indignation of God against sin and rebellion. It is a holy response to the violation of His covenant and character, manifesting in judgment.
nēs · Hebrew Noun
A standard or ensign used to rally troops for battle or to signal a gathering point for a divine purpose, often indicating God's sovereign control over historical movements.
šāraq · Hebrew Verb
In a theological sense, this refers to the ultimate authority and power of God to summon nations, kingdoms, or nature itself to accomplish His providential purposes in history.
This passage vividly portrays God's judgment, likely referencing the devastation caused by the major earthquake in King Uzziah's reign and anticipating future calamities. The trembling mountains and strewn corpses speak to a land reeling from divine anger, a visceral reminder that sin carries severe consequences.
c. 760 BC
Earthquake in Judah
A major earthquake struck Judah during the reign of King Uzziah, a significant natural event remembered for generations and referenced by prophets like Amos and Zechariah.
Mid-8th Century BC— this verse
Prophetic Ministry of Isaiah Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry in Jerusalem, a time of relative peace but also growing internal corruption and external threats from rising empires like Assyria.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimitic War
Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, begins exerting significant influence and power in the region, leading to events like the Syro-Ephraimitic War which impacted Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and serving as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, besieging Jerusalem. Although Jerusalem is miraculously spared, much of the land is devastated.
This passage describes an earthquake that shook the land, similar to the trembling mountains mentioned in Isaiah, indicating divine judgment on surrounding nations.
Zechariah 14:5This prophetic vision describes God's judgment descending upon the earth, causing mountains to shake, echoing the imagery of divine wrath in Isaiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 4:24This verse depicts the land trembling and mountains quaking as a consequence of God's fierce anger, drawing a parallel to the divine judgment described in Isaiah.
Leviticus 26:18This passage warns of further punishment if the people do not repent after initial judgments, mirroring Isaiah's declaration that God's hand is still stretched out despite previous calamities.
Psalm 114:7This psalm poetically describes the earth trembling before the Lord, reinforcing the imagery of natural phenomena reacting to God's power and judgment as seen in Isaiah.
clarkeIsaiah 5:25: "Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
The hills did tremble "And the mountains trembled" - Probably referring to the great earthquakes in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, in or not long before the time of the prophet hi…
barnesIsaiah 5:25: "Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled - The Lord is "enraged," or is angry. Similar expressions often occur; Numbers 11:33 ; 2 Kings 23:26 ; Deuteronomy 11:17 ; Psalm 56:1-13 :4…
What's easy to miss here is that the verse doesn't just describe past or present judgment, but a continuation of God's judgment. The phrase "his hand is stretched out still" emphasizes that this is not the end of the story; God’s hand remains extended, ready to strike, as a persistent consequence of their sin and impenitence.
In this passage, Isaiah is detailing the severe consequences of Israel's sinfulness, which he has likened to a vineyard that produced wild grapes instead of fruit. He's just described how their rejection of God's law will lead to their destruction, comparing it to fire consuming stubble. Now, he emphasizes that God's anger is ignited, leading to a devastating judgment that caused the very earth to shake and left their dead scattered like refuse. This isn't the end of God's judgment, however; his hand remains outstretched, signifying that further, even more severe punishments are imminent.
In this passage, Isaiah is detailing the severe consequences of Israel's sinfulness, which he has likened to a vineyard that produced wild grapes instead of fruit. He's just described how their rejection of God's law will lead to their destruction, comparing it to fire consuming stubble. Now, he emphasizes that God's anger is ignited, leading to a devastating judgment that caused the very earth to shake and left their dead scattered like refuse. This isn't the end of God's judgment, however; his hand remains outstretched, signifying that further, even more severe punishments are imminent.
"Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.…" — What's easy to miss here is that the verse doesn't just describe past or present judgment, but a continuation of God's judgment. The phrase "his hand is stretched out still" emphasizes that this is…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
